Earnhardt still in the market this season for major sponsorship for 12 Cup races

INDIANAPOLIS – Dale Earnhardt Jr. is still on the hunt for major sponsorship for 12 Sprint Cup races.

Earnhardt says he's not worried about locking up a sponsor, a sign that perhaps Hendrick Motorsports has a deal on the horizon.

Owner Rick Hendrick and Earnhardt would love to find a primary sponsor that would fund what's left on this season's slate as well as 2014, and possibly beyond. With 16 races left, putting together a multi-year deal with a committed corporate backer seems almost impossible to pull off.

Earnhardt is somewhat hindered in finding the right fit because of conflicts with committed corporate sponsors. For example, his Pepsi deal is the reason he ditched Budweiser when he signed with Hendrick for the 2008 season.